San Francsico: District 9

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Located South of the Mission District, Bernal Heights has been known as a family oriented residential neighborhood with smaller Victorian and Edwardian style houses. The main commercial strip, located on Cortland Ave, features restaurants, cafes, bars, and a branch of the San Francisco Public Library. Bernal Heights is home to many popular parks including, Precita Park, Holly Park, and a large ecosystem grassland at the very top of Bernal Hill, home to one of the largest dog parks in San Francisco. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Bernal Heights includes the steepest street in San Francisco, Bradford Street, with a 41% incline....

San Francisco's Central East District includes the neighborhoods of Bernal Heights, Central Waterfront, Dogpatch, Inner Mission, Mission Bay, Potrero Hill, South Beach, SOMA/South of Market and Yerba Buena.

Bernal Heights

Located South of the Mission District, Bernal Heights has been known as a family oriented residential neighborhood with smaller Victorian and Edwardian style houses. The main commercial strip, located on Cortland Ave, features restaurants, cafes, bars, and a branch of the San Francisco Public Library. Bernal Heights is home to many popular parks including, Precita Park, Holly Park, and a large ecosystem grassland at the very top of Bernal Hill, home to one of the largest dog parks in San Francisco. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Bernal Heights includes the steepest street in San Francisco, Bradford Street, with a 41% incline.

The Mission

Formerly known as “the Mission lands,” this district is home to the oldest standing building in San Francisco, Alta California Mission, Mission San Francisco de Asis, established in 1783. The land surrounding the newly built mission was dedicated to entertainment including bull and bear fighting, horse racing, and a petting zoo. Following the population growth that resulted from the gold rush, the Mission became an increasingly popular destination, especially with many displaced businesses after the 1906 earthquake. Housing developments for working class immigrants were quickly built. Many Latin Americans moved to this area and have continually influenced the Mission’s architecture, restaurants, art and culture to this day. Divided into four sub-districts, the northeast is primarily known for chic restaurants, contemporary buildings, and high tech startup companies, while the northwest is known for iconic Victorian estates near Dolores Park. The Valencia Corridor and Calle 24 in the southern part of the neighborhood are commercial sub-districts, including popular restaurants, art galleries, and a popular nightlife scene.

Mission Bay

Mission Bay is one of the newest redevelopment areas in San Francisco. Located south of Townsend Street, and east of 7th Street/Interstate 280, this once industrial district is now considered one of the most popular places to live. Starting with the construction of AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, a rapid expansion of luxury mid-rise apartment and condominium buildings began to shape this newly sought-after neighborhood. Biotech companies, digital startups, a new UCSF hospital, public library, large parks, and restaurants have contributed to the expanding district. Plans to build a new arena for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors on a 12-acre site have begun, and are expected to be complete in 2018. Upgrades to underground MUNI transit are expected to be completed in 2019, connecting Mission Bay, Union Square, and Chinatown, easing the commutes for residents and workers in this neighborhood.

Potrero Hill

Because of its ideal eastern location, Potrero Hill is one of the sunniest neighborhoods in San Francisco and is considered one of the quietest neighborhoods. Located south of SOMA, and in between Highways 80 and 280, Potrero Hill is ideal for exclusivity, but conveniently located close to any part of the city. In 1919, architect Julia Morgan designed a neighborhood house on 953 De Haro, now known as the “Nabe,” which has enhanced the sense of community on Potrero Hill. The residential buildings were built over a span of several decades, resulting in eclectic architectural character from small apartment buildings to large single-story mansions. Starting as a working class neighborhood, Potrero Hill has now shifted to an upper middle class, family oriented neighborhood.

SOMA

lso known as South of Market, the SOMA neighborhood is home to Yerba Buena Art district, the new Transbay Terminal, and numerous residential skyscrapers that have helped reshaped the city’s skyline. Once comprised primarily of warehouse buildings and smaller housing units, SOMA has now become one of the most sought-after locations for business and residential projects. The Transbay Terminal Project, which started in 2010 and scheduled for completion in 2017, will serve as the new transportation hub and will house the tallest building in San Francisco, The Salesforce Tower.